Slater said the photoshoot that resulted in these pictures took place after he set up a camera on a tripod. He left the equipment for a few moments and when he returned one of the creatures was, well, monkeying around with it.

"They were quite mischievous, jumping all over my equipment. One hit the button. The sound got his attention and he kept pressing it. At first it scared the rest of them away but they soon came back – it was amazing to watch.

By the time he was able to get his camera back, Slater said that the monkey had taken hundreds of photos.

And for those skeptics who think this might be a publicity stunt or hoax? The Guardian reports that Slater stands by his story, so we'll have to take the photographer at his word on this one.